NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON MEDICAID BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 1115 WAIVER SERVICES RATES FOR SUBACUTE STABILIZATION AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION The Department of Health proposes to change regulations on Medicaid behavioral health 1115 waiver services rates for subacute stabilization and residential services. |
Summary of proposed changes: The Department of Health proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with Medicaid behavioral health 1115 waiver services rates for subacute stabilization and residential services, including the following:
- 7 AAC 139. Behavioral Health 1115 Waiver Services, specifically, 7 AAC 139.040. Service rates, limits, and authorization, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- amend subsection (b) to allow prior authorization for service limits listed in the chapter.
- 7 AAC 139. Behavioral Health 1115 Waiver Services, is proposed to be changed by adding a new section, 7 AAC 139.450, allowing the department to pay subacute stabilization and residential services under the 1115 waiver provided by a subacute mental health facility licensed by the department, and providing specific rates and service limits for subacute stabilization and residential services.
- 7 AAC 160.900. Medicaid Program; General Provisions. Requirements adopted by reference, is proposed to be changed as follows:
- amend a department document adopted by reference, the Chart of Behavioral Health Reform 1115 Medicaid Services Rates, to include rates for subacute stabilization and residential services, and to adopt those amendments.
Written comments: You may comment on the regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the changes, by submitting written comments to Mr. William Hurr, State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 934, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health will accept comments by electronic mail at doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov.
Written comment deadline: The written comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on October 21, 2026.
Oral hearing: You may provide oral comments relevant to the proposed action by telephone or online at the hearing to be held on October 6, 2026, as a telephone and internet-accessible Zoom meeting. You may join the Zoom meeting by using the Zoom website link or by calling the Zoom Call-in toll-free telephone number and using the Meeting ID and Passcode, as follows:
- To attend the meeting and provide oral comments by telephone, please use the Zoom Call-in Toll-free Number:
- Zoom Call-in Toll-free Number: 1-888-788-0099 (US Toll-free); Meeting ID: 874 0376 9519; and Passcode: 200311.
- To attend the meeting and provide oral comments by Zoom website link, please use the Meeting Zoom Link:
There will not be in-person attendance provided at the hearing site, so please prepare to share your oral comments by telephone only. The hearing is scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and priority will be given to commenters on the line before the beginning of the hearing. The hearing may be extended to accommodate those on the line before 2:15 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment. Before the start of the hearing, Department of Health may limit the time allotted for each person providing oral testimony, as reasonably necessary to conclude the hearing in the time provided.
Questions: You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Mr. William Hurr, by electronic mail at doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov, or at the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 934, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health may aggregate its responses to substantially similar questions and will make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System.
Public nature of comments and questions: Public comments and questions, once submitted, are public records and subject to disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act. See AS 40.25.100 - 40.25.295. Do NOT include in your comments or questions any information that you do not want made public.
Accommodations: If you are a person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Mr. William Hurr, by electronic mail at doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov, or by telephone at (907) 269-6549 not later than September 30, 2026, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Obtaining copies of proposed regulations: A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Mr. William Hurr, by electronic mail at doh.dbh.public.comments@alaska.gov, or by telephone at (907) 269-6549.
A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and may also be viewed at the agency's office at State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 934, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503.
Final version of regulations: After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.05.270; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.036; AS 47.07.085; AS 47.30.660; AS 47.32.010.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.05.270; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.085.
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
How to receive further notices: The Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, keeps a list of individuals and organizations interested in its regulations. Those on the list will automatically be sent a copy of all the Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health, notices of proposed regulation changes. To be added to or removed from the list, send a request to the Department of Health, Division of Behavioral Health to doh.dbh.puliblic.comments@alaska.gov, giving your name, and either your e-mail address or mailing address, as you prefer for receiving notices.
Individuals can also signup to receive automated notifications of all State of Alaska notices, including public notice for regulation changes, by subscribing to the Alaska Online Public Notices System: https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Default.aspx.
DATE: September 3, 2026.
/s/Heidi Hedberg
Commissioner,
Department of Health
State of Alaska.